GOVERNMENT prosecutors were dismayed over a court decision favoring the detention of a Cagayan de Oro policeman accused of murder at the mini-cell of the city police headquarters.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 Presiding Judge Gil Bollozos denied Tuesday a petition seeking the transfer of PO3 Bangcola Manangcawal from the Maharlika Detention cell to the Lumbia City Jail.

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Manangcawal, one of the suspects in the Martinez murder case, had insisted that that his life would be put in imminent danger once he is detained at the city jail because of his past police work.

This was disputed by the three-man panel of prosecutors handling the case, saying the police officer’s stay at a detention facility within the confines of his mother unit—the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo)—smacks of favoritism.

They also pointed out that the Cocpo cell is only intended for individuals committing minor infractions, not for suspects accused of serious offenses such as murder.

Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa said the prosecution team, led by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, was dismayed with the court ruling.

“They believe that they had argued their case well, that there is no way a murder suspect can be given special preference just because he is a policeman,” Prosecutor Umpa told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

"I'm not sure if the prosecution will file a motion for reconsideration but for me dapat mag-file talaga sila," the chief regional prosecutor added.

Although this paper had yet to read the judge’s decision, Manangcawal’s voluntary surrender last April may have helped him convince the court that he is not flight risk.

A court insider who spoke on condition of anonymity also said the judge himself once handed a case in which the police officer was instrumental in arresting the defendant.

Prosecutors had earlier tried to solve this dilemma by requesting the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) to have Manangcawal detained there instead.

Jail Warden Dominador Tagarda, however, declined the request because MOPJ is already overcrowded, with more prisoners added almost every day from various municipalities in the province.

Witnesses said the 31-year-old Martinez was mauled and shot inside a downtown funeral parlor in front of the establishment’s security guard and other personnel.

Manangcawal denies involvement in the incident, saying he was in Marawi City when the killing occurred on Dec. 4, 2008. (ALR)